A Systems Thinking approach to post-disaster restoration of maritime transportation systems

Lizzette Perez Lespier; Suzanna K. Long; Thomas G. Shoberg

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USGS · 70155809

A Systems Thinking approach to post-disaster restoration of maritime transportation systems

Lizzette Perez Lespier·Suzanna K. Long·Thomas G. Shoberg

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Abstract

A Systems Thinking approach is used to examine elements of a maritime transportation system that are most likely to be impacted by an extreme event. The majority of the literature uses a high-level view that can fail to capture the damage at the sub-system elements. This work uses a system dynamics simulation for a better view and understanding of the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as a whole system and uses Hurricane Georges (1998), as a representative disruptive event. The model focuses on the impacts of natural disasters at the sub-system level with a final goal of determining the sequence needed to restore an ocean-going port to its pre-event state. This work in progress details model development and outlines steps for using real-world information to assist maritime port manager planning and recommendations for best practices to mitigate disaster damage.

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Conference Paper

Source-reported bounding extent: 18.41447273166262° to 18.487098148509038° latitude; -66.16241455078125° to -66.04602813720703° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Lizzette Perez Lespier, Suzanna K. Long, Thomas G. Shoberg. 2015. A Systems Thinking approach to post-disaster restoration of maritime transportation systems. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70155809

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